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Phoenix Coldon, a junior at the University of Missouri-St. Louis, has been missing since Dec. 18, 2011. Phoenix was last seen in the driveway of the family's home at about 3 p.m.

The Coldon family lost their life savings and their home because of a cruel hoax that led to a false lead in the disappearance of their daughter.

Please take a moment and let Phoenix's family know you care. Please CLICK HERE and read about the case of missing Phoenix Coldon

Reliability of Tracy teen's testimony called into question

STOCKTON - Before deciding the future of a man accused of torturing a teen chained in a Tracy home, jurors heard two tales in closing arguments that began Wednesday.

The teen identified as Kyle Ramirez, now 18, is a reliable source whose tales of beatings are consistent with medical evaluations and evidence collected, according to the prosecution.

But the defense cites inconsistencies in the stories the teen told police and portrayed him as a young man with the potential to exaggerate or lie.
Closing arguments are expected to continue today. After they are complete, jurors will begin deliberating on the fate of 31-year-old Anthony Waiters, charged with torture, aggravated mayhem, false imprisonment, corporal punishment to a child, and a number of other charges.

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Shackled teen case goes to jury

STOCKTON - Jurors on Thursday began deliberating the fate of Anthony Waiters, a Tracy man charged with torturing a 16-year-old boy held captive in a home next door to his for more than a year.

Now 18, Kyle Ramirez escaped from the Tennis Lane home on Dec. 1, 2008, wearing only boxer shorts and a shackle around one ankle. He was emaciated, cut, burned and covered in soot from the fireplace where he slept.

If Waiters is convicted of all the charges, the 31-year-old could spend the rest of his life in state prison. He's accused of torture, aggravated mayhem, false imprisonment and other charges.

The five-week trial reached a climax when Ramirez took the witness stand and pointed to Waiters. He said the defendant cut and beat him and took part in abuse with three others. Waiters lived next door with his mother

Really good article! Wish I could have watched the sentencing live. Right on Judge!

My favorite part in the article (Goooooo Auntie!):

“My family waited two years for this day to face you sadistic, demented monsters who tortured and abused Kyle every day — every day,” said Sydney Perry, the teen’s aunt. “And where you’re going, you’re going to be with monsters just like you.”

Perry was especially harsh towards Caren Ramirez.
“You’re an evil and dispicable woman. You’re trash and you shoud’ve been taken out a long time ago. Today is your day to be taken out.”

“Once you eliminate the impossible, whatever remains, no matter how improbable, must be the truth.” Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Sr.

Abused boy files claim against Sacramento chld proteciton agency

A legal claim against Sacramento County's Child Protective Services was filed this morning in Superior Court, as expected, on behalf of a young man known publicly only as Kyle Doe.

The Bee reported earlier today that Kyle, who endured a year of ritualistic abuse in a Tracy home before escaping in late 2008, planned to file the claim today through his attorney, John Demas.

A spokesperson for the Demas firm said the filing took place shortly after 9 a.m. A claim is the first step toward a lawsuit, which Demas said he expects to file within a month.

The claim asks for unspecified damages from CPS for allegedly ignoring evidence of chronic abuse and neglect inflicted upon Kyle while he was living in the Sacramento area with his mother's friend, Caren Ramirez.According to court testimony in a criminal trial of Ramirez and others last year, she later took him to a Tracy home where he was tortured and held captive for about a year. He is now 18 years old and lives with his aunt and uncle.

Kyle's mother, Susan Cardiff, had given custody of him and his older brother to Ramirez in 2001. Cardiff died in 2008.

Ramirez, Michael Schumacher, Kelly Lau and Anthony Waiters were convicted in San Joaquin Superior Court last year of charges that will keep each of them in prison for at least three decades.CPS has declined to comment on the claim.

Tracy torture case defendant sentenced to 18 years to life

STOCKTON -- A Tracy man, who will spend a minimum of 18 years and eight months in state prison for torturing a teenage boy, told the court Monday that he did not do it.
Anthony Waiters, 31, who was convicted in November, said he was dumbfounded when a jury found him guilty. He maintained his innocence before San Joaquin County Superior Court Judge Terrence Van Oss pronounced his sentence Monday.
He told the court he has love and respect for "Mr. Kyle" and his family.
"I'm not a malevolent person," Waiters said.
A jury found Waiters guilty of torture, two counts of aggravated mayhem and six other charges for physically abusing Kyle Ramirez.
Kyle was 16 when he escaped Dec. 1, 2008, from the Tennis Lane home of Waiter's neighbors. Kyle ran to a nearby gym, begging for help. Emaciated, bloody and scarred, he wore nothing but boxer shorts and a chain around his ankle.
Van Oss, who said that this case is the most bizarre he has ever seen, sentenced Waiters to three life terms to be served concurrently for the torture and aggravated mayhem charges. Waiters received 11 years, eight months for the remaining charges, time that must be served before the life sentences kick in. Also, Waiters must serve seven years of the life sentences before he may be considered for parole.
Waiters is the last of four people arrested in the case to be sentenced. In December, his neighbors Kelly Lau and Michael Schumacher, and Kyle's former-guardian, Caren Ramirez, were each sentenced to at least 30 years in prison for their part in the abuse. more at link:http://www.contracostatimes.com/ci_1...costatimes.com

I don't understand people like this. How in the world could they hold another person against their will and make them do housework and abuse them in ways we won't even know? Seriously... I don't get how people could have such lack of compassion and outright sadistic behavior and try to get away with it! And why in the world would BOTH of them be willing to do this? You would think one of them would have some sort of conscience! And it says they had 4 children? Where were the other 4 children? Why didn't they say anything?

I am just disgusted that people like this exist... people that would take advantage of another life.

STOCKTON -- A Tracy man, who will spend a minimum of 18 years and eight months in state prison for torturing a teenage boy, told the court Monday that he did not do it.
Anthony Waiters, 31, who was convicted in November, said he was dumbfounded when a jury found him guilty. He maintained his innocence before San Joaquin County Superior Court Judge Terrence Van Oss pronounced his sentence Monday.
He told the court he has love and respect for "Mr. Kyle" and his family.
"I'm not a malevolent person," Waiters said.
A jury found Waiters guilty of torture, two counts of aggravated mayhem and six other charges for physically abusing Kyle Ramirez.
Kyle was 16 when he escaped Dec. 1, 2008, from the Tennis Lane home of Waiter's neighbors. Kyle ran to a nearby gym, begging for help. Emaciated, bloody and scarred, he wore nothing but boxer shorts and a chain around his ankle.
Van Oss, who said that this case is the most bizarre he has ever seen, sentenced Waiters to three life terms to be served concurrently for the torture and aggravated mayhem charges. Waiters received 11 years, eight months for the remaining charges, time that must be served before the life sentences kick in. Also, Waiters must serve seven years of the life sentences before he may be considered for parole.
Waiters is the last of four people arrested in the case to be sentenced. In December, his neighbors Kelly Lau and Michael Schumacher, and Kyle's former-guardian, Caren Ramirez, were each sentenced to at least 30 years in prison for their part in the abuse. more at link:http://www.contracostatimes.com/ci_1...costatimes.com

I'm bumping this because I never heard that the monsters had been sentenced and I'm sure others may not be aware as well. I was just thinking about Kyle and wanted to know what happened to him. I hope he is continuing to heal and is doing well. I hope he can go to college and lead a wonderful life.

I wonder what happened to Schumaker and Lau's kids. I also wonder what happened with Kyle's civil suit against CPS.

Originally Posted by believe09

Yup-dude is pure as the driven snow. Didnt notice that Mr Kyle was covered with sores, half naked, beaten and had a chain around one ankle either.

Given his attitude regarding his innocence, let's hope the 18 years is closer to life.

I bet it will be. He gambled. I bet ya' he argued vehemently with his attorney against a plea deal because in his mind, it's okay to abuse a child. They are property to him, I'm sure and he couldn't imagine that others would be horrified.

Sad thing is, the other three were worse. They deserved life too. I hope they never make it out of prison alive.

As for this idiot, what purpose would Kyle possibly have to lie? Yeah, blame the victim. Call him a liar. Shows the content of his character. That defense right there would be enough for me to convict him.

I'm happy the four are cooling their heals in prison. They enjoyed torturing an innocent boy. Like attracts like and they found others as soulless as themselves. They should never see the light of day again and when they die, dead they shall remain.

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Still on my mind

I know it's an old case but I think of remarkable Kyle often. I hope he is healing well and doing alright today.

Just wanted to add that once upon a time I lived about a mile away from where this happened - but had left the state before it came out. I was not shocked (sadly) to learn neighbors had no clue, or didn't want to get involved. My neighbors never said hello, they never even made eye contact with me if we were washing our cars in basically touching driveways. It's how Tracy was at the time and I can't imagine it got any better with the even-greater population explosion it went through after I left. (Maybe MOO, of course.)

Get out, say hello, bring food, keep an eye on each other (and an eye out for the hinky). Can't hurt and sure might help!

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I know it's an old case but I think of remarkable Kyle often. I hope he is healing well and doing alright today.

Just wanted to add that once upon a time I lived about a mile away from where this happened - but had left the state before it came out. I was not shocked (sadly) to learn neighbors had no clue, or didn't want to get involved. My neighbors never said hello, they never even made eye contact with me if we were washing our cars in basically touching driveways. It's how Tracy was at the time and I can't imagine it got any better with the even-greater population explosion it went through after I left. (Maybe MOO, of course.)

Get out, say hello, bring food, keep an eye on each other (and an eye out for the hinky). Can't hurt and sure might help!